t appeared for a while the Tennessee Titans got bamboozled by Chris Johnson, who reversed a cliche. He took the money and stopped running.

After sitting out the preseason, Johnson was paid the respect an elite NFL running back typically deserves. He signed a $53.5 million contract extension, with $30 million guaranteed, and promptly turned into a fat cat who was running scared. He was indecisive with the ball and afraid of contact.

Johnson's case was one of diminishing returns, and the Titans were feeling buyer's remorse for overpaying a knucklehead. But his stock is rebounding, and he's again resembling the form from his 2,006-yard season in 2009.

Tennessee (7-5) has won three of its past four games, with Johnson running for more than 100 yards in three of those games.

Still, the Titans are nowhere near an offensive juggernaut, especially when compared to the New Orleans Saints, who lead the league in total offense behind quarterback Drew Brees.